A festival of peace and compassion.
September15 - 24Winnipeg

ABOUT

Vision:

Envision a community where all can experience peace within and beyond ourselves.

Mission:

Serving the cause of peace by nurturing understanding and compassionate action, we collaborate to promote inclusion, human dignity, justice, and a sustainable earth.

History:

2017 marks the 8th annual Peace Days Festival.

In 2010, Winnipeg lawyer Gary Senft approached David G. Newman, QC, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Rotary World Peace Partners, with an idea for the celebration through music of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace in Winnipeg. The idea took hold and for four consecutive years a Peace Day concert was held on or near September 21st with an array of local talent at various venues in Winnipeg.

In 2012, the Peace Day celebration expanded from a one-day concert to include other music events and multi-lingual, multi-faith ceremonies.

In 2013, the initiative was branded “Peace Days” and the concert was augmented with 27 events that took place during the week-long initiative between September 15 (International Day of Democracy) and September 21 (International Day of Peace). The transformative 28 events drew over 3,200 participants in meaningful, thought-provoking activities. The week culminated with the Concert for Peace at the Burton Cummings Theatre featuring Sierra Noble, Gentil Mis, Flo, Treble, Free Ride and students from the Immigrant and Refugee Centre of Manitoba, as well as an Indigenous storytelling group.

In 2014, Peace Days took on even greater profile and substance. The Festival was expanded to run from September 11 to 21, with four additional days to coincide with the launch of the Compassion Games internationally. The festival coincided with the grand opening of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in September, and supported the themes of the Museum’s RightsFest.

In 2015, the Festival further expanded to a two-week format from September 11-24, and featured Compassion Games, multi-venue exhibitions, and over 55 community-based activities. In the weeks leading up to the Festival were a number of activities that Peace Days supported, including the launch of a permanent Rotary Peace Pole at St. Vital Park by Rotary Club of St. Boniface/St. Vital on September 8th and the Manito Ahbee Festival Kick-off on September 9th.

In 2016, Peace Days began programming activities throughout the calendar year. The many partnerships that have been formed with organizations and individuals world-wide has contributed to a rich and full annual roster of events.